Autumn!

Which Edwards River? The one on the St James Cycle Trail has got a hot pool up Cow Stream.

I was thinking Edwards in Arthur's Pass, and over Williams Saddle. However, I haven't done much in the St James area....I just6 assumed it was a bit dull. What do you think?

Yes, it's fairly dull on the main trails. All right for a hut bagger like me though especially if you go off-route or up the Stanley River (good this time of year with the levels being lowest). Lake Guyon and Stanleyvale are pretty with good huts and fireplaces. When we drop into the Mingha from Williams Saddle, we go 1.8km south along the edge of the beech forest, then descend via the forest on the true right of that narrow scree. The scree used to be good about 20 years ago but now it's all chewed out. Some folks descend close to the saddle but it's a bit rough that way. The easiest way to get to the saddle from Edwards Hut is to head 400 m south through the forest then cross the river where it is open and ascend via the creek opposite until you need to leave it and sidle/ascend southwest.